Shawl-strap



(No Model.)

E. G. WHEELER.

SHAWL STRAP.

No. 474,071. Patented May 3, 1892.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

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NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

SHAWL -STRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,071, dated May 3, 1892. Application filed December 21, 1891. serial No. 415,731. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EARL G. WHEELER, of Amsterdam, in the county of Montgomery, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shawl-Straps, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to shawl-straps, and particularly to those which are adapted to use metallic chains instead of cords or leather straps, and, further, to that class which are adjustable to packages of varying lengths by varying the distances between said chains.

My object is to produce a shawl-strap comprising a longitudinally-adjustable frame to which the carrying-handle is connected and to which frame the package-encircling chains are also connected, means being provided for locking the chains when tightened, said frame being composed of sections adapted to slide longitudinally the one upon the other, one of the chains being connected to each section and one end of the handle being also connected to each of the sections.

My invention consists in the several novel features of construction and operation hereinafter described, and which are specifically set forth in the claims hereto annexed. It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation of the shawl-strap complete. Fig. 3 is a top plan of a lockingsocket, to one end of which the chain is connected and in which the other end is locked, and showing also a part of the frame-section upon which the socketpiece is mounted, and also showing an edge elevation of a piece of safety-chain. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of said socket-piece on line so a; in Fig. 2 and also a plan view of chain. Fig. 4c is aside elevation of a package with the shawl-strap applied thereto.

A is the frame, composed of two sections, shown as constructed in skeleton form. Each section consists of an end a and side bars a, the ends of which are secured in a head I), and each head is perforated so that the side bars of the other section pass freely through it, so that either head will slide upon the side bars of the other section when strain is applied to the end either to pull it outward a piece of said or push it inward to lengthen or shorten the frame. Upon each frame-section I mount movably or secure rigidly a cross-bar 0, provided at one end with a ring 0', to one end of which the safety-chain d is connected. Upon each of these cross-bars I secure a lockingjaw e, or make it integral with the bar, com prising sides bent over inwardly, creating a jaw-slot e, and sloping, as shown, and provided with a stop-shoulder c, said slot being adapted to freely receive the body of a link of the chain edgewise, while the shoulder will catch the head of the link, which constitutes the eye for connecting it to the adjoining link when it enters the enlarged or widened end of the jaw, while the eye upon the other adjoining link will lie upon the outside of the jaw. In this manner the chain is locked securely around the package B and can only be unlocked by being drawn out of the jaw in the direction opposite to that of its entrance. A handle 77. is provided, which is connected by chains or otherflexible connections h to the heads Z), such flexibility permitting the longitudinal movements of the frame-sections. Of course for some purposes the longitudinal adjustment of the frame-sections is not essential, although possibly it would be preferable in all cases.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Ashawl-strap comprising a frame consisting of a pair of rod-sections which are bent upon themselves and have their heads united by cross-heads in which they freely slide, a handle yieldingly connected to said cross-heads, and locking-jaws located near the curve of each rod and having chains thereon for engaging said jaws.

2. The combination, with the frame and the handle connected thereto, of the cross-bars upon the frame, provided with jaws sloping and slotted longitudinally and each provided with a stop-shoulder within the jaw, and chains connected to said bars and adapted to be detachably locked in said jaws.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of December, 1891.

EARL G. WVI-IEELER.

In presence of HOWARD P. DENISON, O. W. SMITH. 

